The countdown ends............

One of my batch mates said that I better start working so that they can honestly say all of ISB is employed!.. So be it... its the last weekend.. Saturday and Sunday won't be the same again. For those who know and have been through such programs at work, have good words to say about them, but generally at the end... rigorous and tiring, but rewarding- why I look forward to it. I am a lil worried as to whether I will be quick enough at work! One year was a blitzkrieg, like a barrage of information - do hope I have internalized enough to use it.. :-( ... Will some of my friends who are already in the line of fire assuage my anxiety!?! Looking back, I'd say I have spent my vacations decently well. Did almost everything an idle person would 'be expected' to do. Nothing constructive!.. I slept, I danced, I traveled (perhaps expected)- an traveled quite a bit, I ate, met few people, started a blog, heard news about atleast 10 of my friends getting hooked, met a friend after 11 years and much much more... my life went topsy turvy in this time-- showed sorrow, happiness, hope and reality..lessons learnt from past experiences, made new friends, a lot of introspection, in a way I feel I have spent a lot of time with myself... and I can only say its ending with a dream...

Alive Amsterdam

Amsterdam is different- They say, God made the world and the dutch made Holland, and they are still making it. I was at Dam square the whole day and it was indeed a change from Italy~ safe, clean, lovely weather and some bindaas people! Amsterdam as is known for its open culture truly lives upto its reputation - and very aesthetically at that. I specially find the unique bicycle riding culture very interesting.. which man in India would wear an expensive business suit with the plushest leather shoes and ride a bike to office and come out to be a senior ranking official in his organisation.. Thats functionality super ceding frill for you!!

Pic Legend

1- A bicycle stand at the metro station... what you see is only a 20th part

2- a road side cafe, very typical of europe

3- the super sacred cow- a symbol both holland & india share..painted like superman

Roman Holiday Wrapped Up

Italy is very historic, melancholy...each and every brick and stone on the walls and stone laid streets (Vias) carries a baggage of all emotions mankind knows - love, deceit, revenge, triumph, trust! that's the way I look at it. Could not visit Venice and Milan but there are enough and more reasons to g0 there. Pic legend - The different states of mind 1- Peace, sanctity- St. Basilica's Chapel- the Vatican 2- Dejection, despair - A pub in a narrow street 3- War, revenge- The colloseum

My Roman Holiday....

Well the title should not be surprising because Rome is famous, for all the right things and wrong and i have to say my visit has been a wholesome one at that!!!... lost baggage, got it back after some 101 rounds of follow up... and then whooof whoof... hmm ...still lost! much more to say when I am back... but then this place rocks by night... again, i am not a night person, but it looks beautiful by the night ... the St. Basilica Cathedral takes ur breath away... its like another world it truly is! ...when it comes to history it does not get better... as far as culture is concerned , i think its a pity they have not been able to keep it. I mean...for women folk who have been following the clutch bag fashion... all bags are clutch bags here. You CANNOT walk on the street without all ur eyes, ears open bag clutched as if it was ur baby... Small roads that keep winding and twirling into each other suddenly taking you above sea level which suddenly land into a large well lit square with really wider roads.... This city also has a unique distinction of avidly and lavishly painted walls with graffiti on them.. and 4 days in Italy is enough to know what the swear words are - but its unique!!! well atleast i gotto doing one thing after coming here... started eating pizzas!! :-).. lets see more... by the way the Collesea is awesome by night too, and for the shoppers... Via Nazionale is the place to be.. cchheeee ...

Italy- Day One... Phew....

Landed at the FCO airport in Rome. The aerial view seemed to defy beauty only to realize the panoramic view were to second it. I believe you have to really get around the place, which I have not done yet, visit the chapels etc to know what beauty is here. Traveling is not complete without some hicups right? Here was mine, LOST BAGGAGE!... off all the crowd, mine was...and still is... To top that Italians are very very happy knowing only Italian... so if you are thinking that Italian hunks are THE choice, well be ready not to expect them to speak...or for that matter work.. they are lazy... well if you are wondering why all this slander in a days visit, its coz you realize the true spirit & culture in times of distress.. and mine was fairly stressful! They just dont wanna work!?!. Anyways I dont wanna get into too much of this as of now, moving to the holy city of Vatican, so let my thoughts be kinda pure...

Eternal Recurrence....

There are many interpretations to this concept. Coined by Zarathustra, it is but new to mankind and life itself. Taking the past and future to be infinite, life is but a snickering thread of events we seek to explain- events that lead us to our destiny, which until reached assumes the form of either a question or when reached- a joke that God played on us; unless- we are one of the blessed souls who somewhere in the past did some good to deserve it. It is at such a point when life becomes inexplicable and all logic fails. Efforts seem to be at best products of the context, and reasonably so- after all we only the know the past. A solution becomes a new challenge, unless it is was meant to be.... and not to recur!

All that Jazz....

Had Feet- Danced! Thur, Sat, Sun- 7-8 am Today my 15th dance class came to an end! Well an end to the learning, its now performance time. I joined them with the intention to hone my dancing skills, shed some pounds (considering that I am a foodie, could only hope to shed SOME), and of course have an occupation, albeit urly in the morning. It was oodles of fun. Working out to loud funky music can be a lot of fun, specially when you are not a gym person. Watched 40 year olds dance with enthu-that at times beats that of groggy 16yr olds...Kudos, to them for they shed inhibitions to join these classes. Touching at the same time to have a hearing impaired girl dancing right next you, with you having the opportunity to guide her- beats through claps is all she understands. :-). Thinking of continuing, hope Pepsi schedule allows.....Currently waiting to shimmer and rock on stage on 14th ....:D

Coffee Parlour, Reason #2

I sat forlorn on that rickety rocking chair Watching the sun-set though not faster, than my falling hair; The newspaper I had memorized, had nothing left to do, The laughter club seemed a farce, my boredom was nothing new Gone were those days when beer befriended blows I had become more sublime in tackling lows Even a bypass now brought chuckles; Forget leather gloves, wrinkles touched my knuckles Built a house, caressed her to a smile, and made them walk; I am now a machine, just living by the clock I admired my hands, which had delivered so much Then, they held their own and now, they held a crutch She left me when she died They left me and I cried One was fate; the other, a choice My questions remained unanswered As only I, heard my voice I had heard new blood in the bus the other day Said at 5..... lets meet at Cafe Coffee Day! Coffee, I realized had now moved out of homes.... A chill in my bent spine, prompted action in my withering bones Why not, lets try.....Its not that far I entered to see new life - abuzz, ablush The tables were tiny, and the couches plush Chitter- Chatter inside, Pitter-Patter outside, Seemed that perfect day, when with my friends I was happy & gay Memories rushed back as I perched myself on one couch; Sought a soother with just 50 in my pouch Caffeine, I needed more than ever; In my heart I wanted to cherish life forever Coffee it was that would bring me peace; Coffee it was that would give the moment ---a new lease.

Fountainhead- Revisited!!!

Somethings make you feel really good. It was one of those competitions at ISB, where we competed against our own Batch mates- the FOUNTAINHEAD, a marketing club event... to analyse and present on how the Cola giants had handled or manhandled the Pesticide Controversy. We worked it up till late night and came up with a simple but strong idea....Feels good to note when the same ideas are echoed by someone else- does not get bigger than whom!!! This is but a nugget to feel good about oneself....as I am :-) http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?ftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=24111

150 List ........50 @ a time

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink 02. Swam with wild dolphins 03. Climbed a mountain 04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive 05. Been inside the Great Pyramid 06. Held a tarantula 07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone 08. Said 'I love you' and meant it 09. Hugged a tree 10. Bungee jumped 11. Visited Paris 12. Watched a lightning storm at sea (yeah, but from the beach :-) ) 13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise 14. Seen the Northern Lights 15. Gone to a huge sports game (Cricket) 16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa(Might just... come 14th June) 17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables 18. Touched an iceberg 19. Slept under the stars 20. Changed a baby's diaper 21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon 22. Watched a meteor shower 23. Gotten drunk on champagne 24. Given more than you can afford to charity 25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope 26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment (these moments itself can list upto 150) 27. Had a food fight 28. Bet on a winning horse (phoney Circus Circus casino race in Las Vegas) 29. Asked out a stranger 30. Had a snowball fight (completes a trip to the Titilis top) 31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can (bomb in my eye on 1 diwali- does not get louder) 32. Held a lamb 33. Seen a total eclipse 34. Ridden a roller coaster 35. Hit a home run (yes, many a times in Nairobi @ a game of 'Rounders') 36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking 37. Adopted an accent for an entire day (Kenya again-- perfect Oh Maaaan types) 38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment (Numerous times! Thank God) 39. Had two hard drives for your computer 40. Visited all 10 provinces 41. Taken care of someone who was drunk 42. Had amazing friends (and still do) 43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country 44. Watched wild whales 45. Stolen a sign 46. Backpacked in Europe 47. Taken a road-trip 48. Gone rock climbing 49. Midnight walk on the beach 50. Gone sky diving

Delhi - I love it,I love it not...

Have been two months at home after ISB and not a day has passed when I have wanted to step out but receded in my plans for the scorching weather was far from enticing. Not just the weather, the fleecing auto walas, the noise and somewhere the monotony of hang outs is so apparent. Come evening and the skepticism increases as I wonder if I'll walk without having to bother who is looking and who just came too close for comfort! Pehaps because of this most of us have resigned to a routine- work to home. But there is a caveat to this, I am not a night person and so that side of Delhi remains unexplored! Having said that, it is disappointing to note that IF you are not a night person, you will not enjoy being here. Sad. Gregariousness that borders on nosey-ness, brashness beyond fear, tempers flowing as if every inch of personal and physical space was being invaded .. scary it is to note that relationships at a civic level are souring. People have money, people also have power, direct or indirect, which allows them to act before they think...who needs an underworld when the world at the surface is so vindictive. Crime at home- servants at the neck of their lords, Crime at parties- a brat guns a bartender down, Crime in school- drugs strewn in pockets which should be carrying tickets to a good life, Crime in the parliament - bedlams which are a blotch on what is known as the world's largest democracy and if history is not enough- the Gujjar raucous in the present! The more spoken the less.....The lesser spoken, the better!! However, like everything else, there is some good to this city too... People still manage to survive. An ever increasing urban agglomeration and also teeming millions that only enter the city, there is still an opportunity. People sleep on the roads, but they sleep.... The situation is still not as bad as it is in Mumbai or maybe in Kolkata. Hindi steers you clear, as it would not in many other metros. Then there is the charm of Chandni Chowk, the hip new NCR, the bindaas punjabi culture, some awesome shopping, fab food, great connections to rest of the world and within, an upcoming metro line... and my home :-). Some things that still keep me here. Look forward to seeing how long our relationship lasts...

Shirking Shrek!!! - Avoidable

Hmmmmm...

Not all sequels are good, and Shrek only reinforces it. Patchy comedy, the ogre looks human, the donkey stale and the puss-in-boots urges me to wish it was Antonio for real,:-(.

What was really nice about the movie was how the other fairy tales have been built in- Snowhite, Cinderella and the genre. Also, really cute were the donkey-dragon off springs and later those of Shrek and Fiona. Seemed to me like a mish-mash effort, building in too much from reinstating a new king to the queens trying to show their dhishum-dhishum prowess!! All in all.... disappointing.

Coffee Parlour- Reason #1

I finally got a nod for THAT dream date, Wondering what happened -- to my fate; I planned a scary movie Thrill & shrill will bring her close Picked her up, she smiled as she twitched her nose; I walked with a swagger with that stiff note Premier was the class & my time stood to gloat 'Sir, its full, Sir its full' this cacophony resonated I walked back long faced as she waited It's not doing well I said, suggested coffee would be- nicer; ;-) She chuckled and said, Darling - u r wiser! We walked back holding hands, in broad daylight rather than dark; But sure it was a compromise as we walked through the park.. Caffeine, I needed more than ever In my heart, I wanted her forever; Coffee, it had to be which would bring her close.... Coffee, it would be over which I would propose

Dedicated to my dear friend Jammie & Sangeetha... and Congratulations to them :-)

Glitz equal at the Zenith or Nadir

Panache personified? stoic? or just sooooooooo media savvy!!?!?... Weird i say------ Paris Hilton addresses the media with equal grace, or the lack of it, describing her designer outfits, her $&* escapades, or even her JAIL sentence. 'I am surely scared don't know what it will be like, however, I am looking forward to experiencing this part of my life' Whoa!.... and she says all this as she poses for the shutterbugs at the red carpet welcome of the MTV music awards... No comments!

Waiting to happen.....

........2nd July

ADV

Hutch - Kudos to the active marketing group 'n O&M!! The debate http://www.agencyfaqs.com/talkies/58/index.html The Storyboard http://www.agencyfaqs.com/perl/advertising/storyboard/index.html?id=2518 For the marketing fanatics... and for those who want a proximate benchmark.. this one is for you... Hutch... Everywhere you go.. Literally... Reinforcing every bullet of that ideal advert we learnt at advert class.. Tangibility hammered-- if the pink was not enough- the pink strip, Execution - chic, look at the Eskimo OR the bewildered boy next to him... Thrill - the story ...Clear Message - Our Network Follows Everywhere .... The eternal subtlety of the brand maintained...consistent .... Waiting to see how it transforms when Vodafone takes over this part as well!! Guess Bharti would need to look beyond the emotional appeal! Can't help it, this post HAS to be PINK!

Not to happen.....

One of those days when you propose and there u see God dispose!! You want to watch a movie you dont get tickets- online or OTC!! You want to go and do some bowling, you try to punch through an impermeable bevy of school going kids who find it the perfect destination to LIVE that last day of summer hols....Finally, you think of doing what is no different, go for a cup of coffee.. and end up at CCD (Cafe Coffee Day)! But then, after all.. it may not be that bad... Sipping the same cappucino- the taste of which is as familiar as that of that toothpaste, albeit - the environment sells... an amateur singer on the keyboard tries to pull the attention of the crowd which is only too busy within ----- in vain. Much in love couples- where the guy tries hard, beyond his will, to NOT look at the girl on the next table, with his gal sitting before him (Ha!!!), an old man with a book in his hand - (I am not God but I am Good) appreciates the ambience as he withers away... :-) Finally I migrate from what seems obvious into the unobvious, my own subconscious speaks and I only hear these words, waking up to realize....... I just wanna feel Real love fill the home that I live in Cos I got too much life Running through my veins Going to waste I don't wanna die But I ain't keen on living either Before I fall in love I'm preparing to leave her Some lyrics are beautiful....

Life in a Metro

One of the most beautiful movies I have seen in a very long time. Though some parts could have been done without. Just proves it over again, nothing is perfect!!! The songs are beautiful and 'In Dino'......, like speaks my heart.. They are soulful, emotional, simple and they touch me somewhere. I can't sing but I sing these all day... Also must see is the way the songs have been cinematographed/choreographed, whatever we may want to call them, they look beautiful. Perfect manifestation of 'situational renditions', emerging from the crowds, the streets!!! I love Life in a Metro.... Literally!!!